South Plains veterans welcomed home by thankful crowd

The welcome home was an emotional one for some

Veterans and their families were welcomed home by a gathering of between 200 and 300 people at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport on Thursday night.

South Plains veterans of Korea and World War II were returning from a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials built for them, and those who didn’t make it home. About 137 veterans and guardians landed to a welcome from family, police officers, active duty troops and members of the community. The airport was packed with people, many waving American flags and a few with signs thanking the veterans.

For April Chavez it wasn’t about welcoming home a veteran she knew, but thanking all of them for their service.

“I just wanted to come out and honor our veterans,” Chavez said.

John Speck, like Chavez, didn’t know any of the returning veterans personally. The Plainview resident was there to support the five troops who live in Plainview, four from his church.

“They truly are the greatest generation,” Speck said. “We owe them a debt of gratitude for the head start on life we got.”

Speck explained the opportunities following generations were given came from the service of veterans in World War II and Korea.

Randy and Diane Brown also didn’t know any of the veterans personally. They said they came out because those veterans are why we are free.

“If it wasn’t for that generation we wouldn’t be standing here,” Randy Brown said. Many in the airport crowd called the veterans the “greatest generation,” a term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw.

Marine Lance Corporal Tyler Gilbreath said being there to welcome the veterans home was an honor. His grandfather served in Korea.

“They set the standard, they were America’s greatest generation,” Gilbreath said. “We have to live up to and surpass their standard.”

Like the rest of the troops in uniform present, he volunteered to greet the returning veterans.

Another grandchild of a veteran at the welcoming celebration was Brandi DeWaters. Her grandfather, Roy Grimes, was one of those on the flight.

“It is great to be a part of this,” DeWaters said. She added it was good to be able to support and thank them for their service.

Grimes praised the trip, saying he had never seen so much food before.

“They fed us like we were kings,” Grimes said. He added the trip was well planned and organized. During the trip he was thinking of those who aren’t alive any more.

“It reminded me of all the buddies I served with,” Grimes said. “I wish they could have been there with me.”

The welcome home was emotional for Grimes.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Grimes said.

Darlene Miller praised the trip and the people who put it together. She was on the trip along with her husband Jack.

“It is a great thing these people have done,” Darlene Miller said. “They took really good care of us.”

Darlene Miller said she is proud of her husband for his 20 years of service.

Fellow veteran Charles “Odell” Sears was also over whelmed by the welcome home. It was more than he said he expected.